Long-distance runners in training for the Boston Marathon are eagerly awaiting Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2010, when the AT&T Austin Marathon will be held. Runners will traverse a scenic course along the Colorado River and the Town Lake area, and will spend a portion of their time in the beautiful rolling trails of Austin [...]
The Austin Marathon has grown every year since it's inception. Expect the trend to continue as central Texans stay healthy.
Long-distance runners in training for the Boston Marathon are eagerly awaiting Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2010, when the AT&T Austin Marathon will be held. Runners will traverse a scenic course along the Colorado River and the Town Lake area, and will spend a portion of their time in the beautiful rolling trails of Austin Hill Country. The full marathon course is the regulation 26.2 miles, but a half-marathon spanning 13.1 miles is also available for less experienced runners. Congress Avenue Bridge marks the starting line for this popular event, which is scheduled to start at 7:00 and is expected to last for about seven hours; the finish line at 4th and Congress Avenue is expected to draw especially large numbers of sightseers and well-wishers on race day.
The Austin Marathon has been named the Greenest Race in North America by Runners World magazine, and is considered the fastest course in the state of Texas; additionally, the course is arranged in a loop to allow easy access to the start and finish lines from a number of local hotels. Because the Austin Marathon is a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon, it attracts participants from all over the country. Since about 80% of runners come from outside the Austin area, local hotels are expected to be booked to near capacity for the Valentine’s Day weekend.
The Austin Marathon and Half-Marathon festivities will include almost 40 Austin bands playing at the Paramount Theater to entertain spectators at this popular race. Twenty-six rest stations offering water and Powerade will be strategically placed along the route, along with medical personnel from Seton Health Care who will monitor the condition of runners as they progress through the course. The water stops will be hosted by 26 Miles for 26 Charities as in years past; this organization allows charities to raise public awareness and funds by showcasing local agencies including the Austin Children’s Shelter, Blue Dog Rescue, Colin’s Hope, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and St. Jude Heroes among many others.
For runners who are not ready to take on the Austin Marathon or Half-Marathon, the Paramount 5K run offers a lower level of challenge along with food, drinks, and merriment after the race. On the Friday and Saturday before, the Austin Marathon and Half-Marathon Health & Fitness Expo will be held at the Palmer Events Center; vendors from throughout the area will be on hand to demonstrate and display their merchandise for runners and visitors. A large turnout is expected for these events, so spectators are advised to arrive early to claim the best observation spots along the route.
Austin residents may soon get their first look at the ZeroHouse, a high-tech solution to the energy crisis that offers off-grid self-sufficiency for homeowners. Plans for the prototype include water conservation technology, a sizable composting unit, and two large solar energy panels; these features are intended to produce all the energy and water needed [...]
Very modern look, very modern technology!
Austin residents may soon get their first look at the ZeroHouse, a high-tech solution to the energy crisis that offers off-grid self-sufficiency for homeowners. Plans for the prototype include water conservation technology, a sizable composting unit, and two large solar energy panels; these features are intended to produce all the energy and water needed by residents within the house. Designed by Austin architects Scott Specht and Louise Harpman, the ZeroHouse requires no outside power or water supply and is designed to sit on four stainless-steel pillars; thus, it requires a minimal environmental footprint and is prefabricated for easy construction.
Specht and Harpman are seeking an investor to finance the building of the prototype, which is expected to cost between $300,000 and $350,000. The ZeroHouse will provide 650 square feet of interior living space and covered exterior decking that adds 250 more square feet outside; the architects are looking for someone to finance and live in the home, which they hope to construct in the Austin area. The prototype plans are optimized to provide the maximum amount of livable space for residents, and incorporates highly energy-efficient appliances and electronics in order to use the smallest amount of resources possible, making this home an environmentally sound choice for consumers.
The ZeroHouse is the latest addition to the class of net-zero houses, which boast that they are completely self-sustaining and have a net energy cost of zero, since they produce as much energy as they require. The ZeroHouse produces power through two sizable solar panels and collects and filters rainwater for household use; waste processing and disposal is accomplished by the automated composting system located under the house. This allows it to function off-grid, or without accessing the local electric company’s supply; in practice, these houses are generally hooked up to the local system and are compensated for the energy they supply to companies like AustinEnergy.
Austin is a leader in the green technology industrial market; this makes it a logical choice for Specht and Harpman’s project. City leaders have agreed to require that all new residential construction must be net-zero capable beginning in 2015; while this will not always be immediately possible due to differences in ground cover and lot placement, the goal is expected to spur even more green construction in Austin. The ZeroHouse is not for everyone; its high cost of construction and avant-garde styling may not suit all buyers. The lessons learned and the techniques used in its construction, however, are expected to carry over into traditional home building practices and reduce overall energy costs in Austin over the long run.
Austin officials recently announced a proposed $500,000 package of incentives for the Hanger Orthopedic Group to facilitate its planned relocation to Austin. The proposal is expected to provide $50,000 per year for ten years providing that Hanger meets certain stipulations. Hanger is an industry leader in medical equipment, prostheses, and orthotics and is [...]
Employers finding the lure of the Central Texas hill country are moving to Austin in droves!
Austin officials recently announced a proposed $500,000 package of incentives for the Hanger Orthopedic Group to facilitate its planned relocation to Austin. The proposal is expected to provide $50,000 per year for ten years providing that Hanger meets certain stipulations. Hanger is an industry leader in medical equipment, prostheses, and orthotics and is relocating to Austin from Bethesda, Maryland. While current employees of the Hanger headquarters in Maryland will be given the opportunity to relocate, the company is expected to provide as many as 100 jobs for the local employment market.
Austin has participated in such agreements with other companies, most notably the 62.9 million dollar tax incentive package offered to Samsung Austin Semiconductor for the construction of a second plant that is expected to provide 500 jobs to Austin residents upon completion. Other significant incentive packages were provided to the television show “Friday Night Lights” and $37 million over 20 years to The Domain multi-use commercial and residential development in North Austin, slated to create 1,100 jobs. The latest set of incentives continues Austin’s tradition of proactive recruitment of jobs for its economy.
Hanger chose Austin as the site for its new headquarters in part because it already had a major subsidiary located here; Innovative Neurotronics manufactures the WalkAide system, a neuromuscular stimulating device that provides additional mobility to spinal cord patients and those living with multiple sclerosis. Austin also provides significant benefits to high-tech employers like Hanger, with a highly-educated workforce and respected institutions of higher education nearby. Company officials also cited the high quality of life available in the Austin area as a factor in their decision; Austin is widely regarded as one of the best places to live in the entire U.S. A large part of the decision, however, is due to Austin’s business-friendly policies, which are designed to attract and retain employers for the area. Austin’s central location will assist Hanger in communications with its subsidiaries throughout the country, and is expected to help the company improve its financial bottom line performance.
Austin has weathered the recent economic downturn better than most other cities in large part due to active recruitment of new employers and businesses to the area. Austin and Texas government officials have been aggressive and proactive in offering incentives for investment in the region, ensuring that the vibrant Austin economy continues to grow. The addition of the Hanger headquarters is expected to make Austin even more desirable as a location for new business, especially in the medical and pharmaceutical fields.
Austin is slated to receive $4.8 million in funding for job education and training in the high-demand field of solar technology through the U.S. Department of Labor. The program, administered by the Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Program, is expected to provide training for approximately 1,000 workers in the Austin area, preparing them for [...]
Austin's drawing new solar technolgy jobs and expertise to the area.
Austin is slated to receive $4.8 million in funding for job education and training in the high-demand field of solar technology through the U.S. Department of Labor. The program, administered by the Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Program, is expected to provide training for approximately 1,000 workers in the Austin area, preparing them for crucial positions in solar power plants throughout the region and as far afield as Kansas, New Mexico and Arizona. The Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Program is sponsored by a number of national and Austin-based groups, including the Austin Workforce Investment Board, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the National Electrical Contractors Association, and ImagineSolar.
Part of the economic stimulus package passed by Congress, the initiative is one aspect of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. It is intended to provide employment opportunities for veterans, women, and minorities as well as offering unemployed individuals the chance to learn a new set of job skills. Austin’s highly-trained workforce and commitment to green technology played a significant part in its selection; it is one of only 25 sites to receive similar funding. The initiative is slated to distribute $100 million in funds over the next year; grants available through the stimulus program range between $1.4 million and $5 million, making the Austin grant one of the largest distributed to local programs.
This news comes on the heels of an initial report by the Cleantech Group and Deloitte showing a 33% decline in venture capital investment in the green technology sector in 2009. While at first glance these figures seem to spell bad news for the overall clean and green technology industries, the overall picture for venture capital investment was far worse. In relative terms, green technologies still attract investors and funds at a higher rate than most other sectors of the investment economy. Solar technology still leads the pack, with about 21% of all green technology investment in this area.
Texas ranks third in green technology investment in the nation, with only California and Massachusetts investing more in this area. Austin is especially proactive in the area of green technology, with many homes and businesses incorporating solar collection and energy efficient design in their initial construction. The additional funding provided through the Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Program will help Austin remain on the cutting edge of clean, green energy sources and ensure a brighter economic outlook for the entire area.
